The Swedish government has introduced a financial incentive aimed at encouraging migrants to voluntarily leave the country and return to their countries of origin, including Somalia.
Under the programme, eligible migrants who choose to leave Sweden voluntarily can receive up to 27,000 pounds, equivalent to more than $37,000, according to information reported by Mustaqbal Media.
The scheme, implemented by Sweden’s coalition government from the beginning of 2026, forms part of broader efforts to reduce migration and encourage voluntary returns.
The Swedish government has allocated 1.3 billion Swedish kronor, equivalent to nearly £100 million, to support the programme. Information about the scheme has also been made available through government platforms in several languages to reach potential applicants.
Sweden received almost 163,000 asylum seekers in 2015, making it one of the European countries that received the largest number of asylum applications relative to its population at the time. However, asylum applications had fallen by approximately 96 percent by 2025.
The policy has received strong backing from the Sweden Democrats, a right-wing party that is outside the government but supports the coalition through parliamentary cooperation.
In July, the party placed advertisements on buses in Stockholm specifically targeting Somalis. One advertisement read: “Do you miss Mogadishu? The repatriation grant can help you return home.”
Despite the size of the financial incentive, the programme has so far attracted relatively few participants. According to the report, only 171 people have received the payment during 2026.
The Swedish government has promoted the initiative as a voluntary return measure, rather than a forced deportation programme, as it seeks to reduce the number of migrants remaining in the country and encourage those willing to return to do so with financial assistance.
Mustaqbal
